Animal-trap.



H. P. DAMSMA.

ANIMAL TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 8, 910.

995,664, Patented June 20, 1911.

Mamas PETERS cmxwunmamu, o. c.

TN OFTCF.

HARRY P. DAMSMA, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

Patented June 20, 1911.

Application filed January 8, 1910. Serial No. 536,994.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY P. DXMsarA,"a' citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, and

new and useful Improvements in Animal- Traps, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to improvements in animal traps.

My improved animal trap is especially designed by me and the structureillustrated is particularly adapted for use as a rat trap, although thesame is desirable for catching other small animals.

The main objects of this invention are: to provide an improved animaltrap which is simple and economical in structure and at the same timevery effective.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification.

The structure described constitutes one effective embodiment of myinvention. Other embodiments would be readily devised by those skilledin the art.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claim.

A structure constituting an effective and preferred embodiment of thefeatures of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical central section of a structure embodying thefeatures of my invention, the door retainer being shown engaged. Fig. 2is an enlarged detail vertical section corresponding to that of Fig. 1of the lower end of the entrance passage. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectiontaken on a line corresponding to the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings, similar reference numerals refer to similar partsthroughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing, the cage 1 is preferably formed of wirescreen, including the bottom and the top. The bottom 2 is preferablyprovided with a central raised portion 3 forming a bait receptacle, thereceptacle being preferably provided with retainers 4. The top 5 of thereceptacle is provided with a central hole in which the entrance passage6 is arranged. The passage 6 is preferably provided with an out-turnedflange 6 at its upper end whereby it is supported. This entrance passageis formed of sheet metal and is-preferably somewhat tapered. It issupported in a spaced relation to the side walls of the cage, so that ananimal in attempting to escape from the cage will run up on the outsideof the passage. At the lower end of the passage is a trap door 7 havinga bait holder or receptacle 8 on its upper side. This holder ispreferably well-like in form and provided with spur-like retainers 9.The door is preferably arranged to close into the lower end of thepassage, it being mounted on the pintle 10 and provided with a stop 11,so that it is impossible for the animal to open the door in its attemptto escape from the cage. The hinge for the door preferably consists of apair of cars 12 formed integrally with the passage and the hinge member13 to which the door is secured by the rivets 14. On this hinge memberis a counter-balanced weight 15 for the door so that it is automaticallyclosed.

When the trap is set, bait is placed in the receptacle 3 in the bottomand in the bait holder 8 on the entrance door. The bait in the bottom isvisible to the animal from the outside of the trap. In attempting toreach this bait the animal is quite likely to climb to the top of thecage when it sees the bait in the holder 8 and in attempting to securethis bait falls through the trap door into the cage. The animal in thecage is quite likely to attempt to get the bait in the receptacle 4 andthis serves to attract other animals to the trap.

The structure is very simple and economical to produce.

When'it is desired to remove the animals from the trap, they may bedrowned in the trap if desired, and the entrance passage removed toprovide a discharge opening.

In carrying the trap with an animal therein, and before immersing thesame in water, I preferably engage the hook 16 in the opening 17provided therefor in the counterweight 15, so that the door cannot open,no matter in what position the trap may be placed. This hook 16is-arranged through the screen of the body, to be manipulated from theoutside. This is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing engaged.

Having thus described my invention what door for the lower end of saidpassage,

adapted to close into said passage, said door being formed of sheetmetal and having a' Well-like bait holder formed therein, the side wallsof said bait holder being provided with inwardly-projecting baitengaging pins.

In Witness whereof, I have'hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two witnesses.

HARRY P. DAMSMA. L. s]

Witnesses:

L. G. GREENFIELD, F. GERTRUDE TALLMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G.

